Murder suspect pregnant with victim's baby

Randolph Piercey of St. John's, Newfoundland, said Wednesday that Dr. Shirley Turner is four months pregnant with the child of Dr. Andrew Bagby, her former boyfriend.

"This is what I've been told," Piercey told the Tribune-Review. "That's Shirley's position. I'm not doubting her, but I've not seen the DNA. But that's her position."

Kate Bagby of Sunnyvale, Calif., the victim's mother, said she learned of the pregnancy yesterday afternoon.

"I have no way of knowing if this is true because we've never been through a terrible ordeal like this before. All we can do is pray, pray and pray for justice," she said.

Turner, 40, is accused of shooting the 28-year-old Bagby five times before leaving his body by his vehicle in Keystone State Park, Derry Township. Bagby's body was found Nov. 6 near Keystone Lake. Autopsy reports showed he had been hit in the head and shot five times in the head, chest and rectum.

Meanwhile, a hearing in the case was held yesterday before the Newfoundland Supreme Court, which will decide whether Turner should be extradited to Pennsylvania to face a murder charge.

Turner left the United States for Canada shortly before state police issued a warrant for her arrest. Turner holds citizenship in the United States and Canada and will not voluntarily return to America.

Piercey said the Crown Prosecutor in St. John's has known for some time that Turner is pregnant. Turner, who remains free, has been under police surveillance, and detectives have seen her visiting her physician's office, he said.

Piercey said Turner's pregnancy could delay a decision on her extradition because she is due to give birth in June. Piercey said he believes the process will take most of this year to complete.

"I don't think the courts will force me to drag a pregnant woman into court," he said.

Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck said he had received reports that Turner might be pregnant, but added that her condition "wouldn't affect her extradition to America or her trial."

The victim's mother said Turner had called her the night before the arrest warrant was issued but wouldn't say what they discussed.

"The pregnancy, if there is one, should have no bearing on the case or extradition," Kate Bagby said.

Turner and Bagby were lovers who met in medical school in Newfoundland. Last July, Bagby began a three-year residency program at Latrobe Area Hospital while Turner was working in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Police said Turner visited Bagby the week before his death and stayed at his apartment across the street from Latrobe Area Hospital.

State police have alleged in court records that Turner, who reportedly suffered a miscarriage in October, was angry at Bagby because he had ended their relationship during the visit. Police allege that after the breakup, Turner flew back to Iowa, but immediately drove 16 hours back to Pennsylvania to confront and kill Bagby.

Using cell phone records and other evidence, investigators were able to trace her route and place her at the murder scene on Nov. 5, the day Bagby died. They also said she called Bagby en route.

Peck has asked the Canadian government to return Turner, who lives in St. John's with a son from a previous marriage.

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., is expected to present evidence linking Turner to Bagby's slaying to the Crown Prosecutor in Newfoundland.

The Justice Minister then will decide whether to agree to the U.S. request. If the Canadian government agrees, a series of hearings will be held before the Newfoundland Supreme Court, which will decide whether Turner will be extradited.

State police investigators say they have amassed a large amount of evidence against Turner.

In addition to telephone records, they say they have conflicting and incriminating statements she made to police and others. Police contend she lied to troopers when she said she had a .22 caliber weapon in her possession and then reported she could not locate it.

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